Press release
Wednesday 31 May 2023
New Chair of Trustees for Protect- the UK’s whistleblowing charity
Protect is delighted to announce the appointment of Lucy McLynn as the new chair of trustees, to replace Paul Boyle OBE who is standing down after six years in the role. Lucy McLynn is Head of Employment and partner of the law firm Bates Wells – a leading firm advising the charity sector. Lucy has experience of advising employers and bringing claims for whistleblowers. A former chair of the Industrial Law Society, Lucy is well known in the legal sector and ranked Band 1 by Chambers.
Protect’s Deputy Chair, Frances Morris-Jones said:
“We’re very pleased to welcome Lucy who impressed the Board with her passion for whistleblowing, her in-depth understanding of the law, and her ability to advocate strongly for the charity. Her expertise will be particularly useful as charities now make up the biggest source of callers to Protect’s advice line. She will join Protect as the Government reviews the whistleblowing framework, and as Protect continues to develop its services for employers and advice for whistleblowers. She reflects Protect’s core values of being expert, supportive, independent and collaborative, and we look forward to working with her.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Boyle for his outstanding work as a chair for the past five years. He has inspired a refresh of the charity’s strategy which has guided our activities through turbulent times, and has seen the charity emerge stronger and more resilient. “
New Chair Lucy McLynn said:
“It is an honour to take the Chair at Protect. The charity plays a vital role in supporting individual whistleblowers through what can be a very stressful and difficult time, as they speak up to stop harm. Protect is also at the forefront of supporting employers to put in place effective arrangements really to listen to their staff. I believe strongly that it is in employers’ interests to act swiftly on concerns raised. I look forward to supporting this important charity go from strength to strength.”
Outgoing Chair, Paul Boyle said:
“I am pleased to leave Protect on such a strong footing in its 30th year. There will always be a need for whistleblowers, and we should aspire to Protect’s vision of a world where no whistleblower goes unheard or unprotected. Whistleblowers provide a vital public service and Protect provides the advice they desperately need. All employers should work with Protect to ensure that their arrangements are gold standard.
I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their support and commitment to this important charity and I am delighted that the Board has chosen such an able successor as Lucy”
ENDS Media contact: Press@protect-advice.org.uk